I am loving the Bible on iPod. I think years ago I would have considered that cheating. Real Bible readers have dog-eared Bibles and leather journals and hand-turned coffee mugs from Nor Cal…or so I thought. But life is far too kinetic for that always.
For instance, a few weeks ago I was standing at the crossroads of sickness and going to church. Because I was sick, I slept in. Because I was headed to church, I was scrambling around trying to get ready. But while I was getting ready, I listened to the Bible reading for the day. I really listened to it, and I really enjoyed it. But I never slowed down. There was no time. And that’s life. Call it what you will, but that is what faithfulness looked like that day. That’s what real spirituality was.
I am not, however, advocating some kind of “God-to-go” spirituality. I would be sorely remiss if all I ever did was pursue God on the go. I must have times of quiet, times of coffee and solitude. I must journal and chew on words. I must spend time on my knees praying to God and praying over his word. In fact, I would argue silence and meditative solitude are some of the greatest spiritual disciplines our culture needs. But let’s not be spiritual snobs.
As a husband, a father of two little ones, and a pastor, I can say I am thankful for the words of Deuteronomy 6:9 “You shall write [God’s commandments] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Now there’s a down-to-earth spirituality! Scriptures on my garage door? I like it. I might actually see those.
Why did the picture of deep piety and sincere spirituality become a quiet monk in robes?
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